Bell Nunnally partners Alana K. Ackels, R. Heath Cheek, Kristopher D. Hill and Ross Angus Williams have been named to D Magazine’s 2020 “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list, featured in this month’s print edition.

“Alana, Heath, Kris and Ross are outstanding members of our Bell Nunnally team, trusted advisors to their clients and thought-leaders in their disciplines,” said Christopher B. Trowbridge, Bell Nunnally managing partner. “We congratulate them on this peer-driven honor, and are looking forward to watching their practices continue to grow and evolve.”

Attorneys under 40 who have practiced law for at least five years – primarily in the DFW area – are eligible for the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list. D Magazine asked metroplex attorneys to submit nominations for up to two lawyers outside their firms and one within for consideration, based on this prompt, “Which young Dallas lawyer, of those whose work you’ve witnessed firsthand, would you rank among the current best?” Candidates were then vetted by a panel of area attorneys in conjunction with the publication’s editors.

Ackels is a member of Bell Nunnally’s Labor, Employment and Benefits; Litigation; and Workplace Culture and Misconduct Investigation practices. She works with companies of all sizes, advising them on how to minimize risk, protect key business assets and navigate the state and federal laws governing the employer-employee relationship. Ackels also prepares employment contracts, confidentiality and non-competition agreements, employee handbooks and other key employment policies. She also guides employers through the process of opting out of workers compensation in Texas by crafting injury benefit plans, managing the rollout, consulting on difficult claims and handling litigation when it arises. Ackels is a graduate of Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2009) and Southern Methodist University (B.A., cum laude, 2006). This is her second selection to the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list.

Cheek is a member of the firm’s Litigation; Labor, Employment and Benefits, and Intellectual Property practices, focusing on trials and disputes. His clients include Fortune 500 companies, startup businesses and high-net-worth individuals. Cheek specializes in complex and high-stakes litigation involving: securities, real estate, labor and employment; business divorces; intellectual property and trade secrets; high-net-worth trusts and estates; and general commercial litigation. Cheek is a graduate of Baylor Law School (J.D., 2006) and Texas Tech University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2003). This is his third selection to the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list.

Hill is a partner in the firm’s Litigation and Labor, Employment and Benefits practices. His trial practice focuses on leading clients through complex and high-stakes business and employment disputes involving non-compete, confidentiality and non-solicitation agreements, fiduciary duties, trade secrets, oil and gas investments, and construction defects. Hill also regularly advises employers and employees regarding drafting and interpreting the terms of non-compete agreements and related departing employee issues, including non-solicitation and confidentiality obligations. He is a graduate of Baylor Law School (J.D. 2008) and Texas Tech University’s Rawls College of Business (B.A., cum laude, 2005). This is Hill’s first selection to the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list.

Williams is a partner in the firm’s Litigation and Appellate practices. He litigates complex disputes involving trade secrets, cryptocurrency and blockchain; non-competes and other restrictive covenants; unfair competition; contracts; business torts; real estate and internet defamation. Williams has briefed appellate matters before Texas and federal courts of appeal, the Supreme Court of Texas and the U.S. Supreme Court (twice at certiorari). He is a graduate of the University of Texas School of Law (J.D., with honors, 2008) and Tulane University (B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 2005). This is William’s third selection to the “Best Lawyers Under 40 in Dallas” list.

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